The study and interpretation of visual images, symbols, and their meanings in art. It examines how artists use specific motifs, attributes, and symbolic elements to convey religious, mythological, or cultural messages.
From Greek 'eikon' (image) and 'graphia' (writing/description), originally meaning the description of images. The term was adopted into art historical vocabulary in the 19th century as scholars developed systematic approaches to interpreting artistic symbolism.
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